Machine for packaging soft printed butter



July 19, 1960 A. PERRAULT MACHINE FOR PACKAGING SOFT PRINTED BUTTERFiled Nov. 18, 1957 14 Sheets-Sheet 1 y? ,qrrae EV July 19, 1960 A.PERRAULT 3 MACHINE FOR PACKAGING SOFT PRINTED BUTTER Filed Nov. 18, 1957.14 Sheets-Sheet 2 FIG. 2

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MACHINE FOR PACKAGING SOFT PRINTED BUTTER Filed Nov. 18, 1957 14Sheets-Sheet s //V VE/V 7'02 fie THUZ. PEEERULT r rm y 1960 A. PERRAULT2,945,334

MACHINE FOR PACKAGING SOFT PRINTED BUTTER Filed Nov. 18. 1957 14Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 4

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A. PERRAULT MACHINE FOR PACKAGING SOFT PRINTED BUTTER Filed Nov. 18,1957 July 19, 1960 14 Sheets-Sheet '1 w. 2 m w H 3 4 w w. F W r 3 8 Z Ma a U a, 2 1.8 a z Z 2 m 2 a Z MIVEA/TOE Aer/we P5829047 Aw fig y 9,1960 A. PERRAULT 2,945,334

MACHINE FOR PACKAGING SOFT PRINTED BUTTER Filed Nov. 18, 1957 14Sheets-Sheet 8 pl wga INVENTOR. Aer/rue PEEZHULT NTTOEA/EV July 19, 1960A. PERRAULT MACHINE FOR PACKAGING SOFT PRINTED BUTTER Filed Nov. 18,1957 14 Sheets-Sheet 9 mmvroa. 4277/02 PEEEfll/LT BY A. PERRAULT MACHINEFOR PACKAGING SOFT PRINTED BUTTER Filed Nov. 18, 1957 July 19, 1960 14Sheets-Sheet 1O FIG. l5

INVENTOR. men/ye PEEHULT MW j MaW A. PERRAULT MACHINE FOR PACKAGING SOFTPRINTED BUTTER Filed Nov. 18, 1957 July 19, 1960 14 Sheets-Sheet 11,

MACHINE FOR PACKAGING-SOFT PRINTED BUTTER Filed Nov. 18, 1957 July 19,1960 A. PERRAULT 14 Sheets-Sheet 12 Qumr A. PERRAULT MACHINE FORPACKAGING SOFT PRINTED BUTTER Filed Nov. 18, 1957 July 19, 1960 14Sheets-Sheet 15 FIG. 2|

HTTOB/UE'V July 19, 1960 A. PERRAULT 2,945,334

MACHINE FOR PACKAGING SOFT PRINTED BUTTER Filed Nov. 18, 1957 14Sheets-Sheet 14 'HTTOEUEP United States Patent 2,945,334 MACHINE FORPACKAGING SOFT PRINTED BUTTER Arthur Perrault, Forest Lake, Minn.,assignor, by direct and mesne assignments, to Burch 0. Gustafson, WhiteBear Lake, Minn., and an undivided fractional interest to Ralph L.Dugger, Minneapolis, Minn.

Filed Nov. 18, 1957, Ser. No. 697,102

40 Claims. (Cl. 53-64) This invention relates generally to butterpackaging apparatus and pertains more particularly to an automaticmachine for cartoning butter or similar materials into what is commonlytermed Eastern fiat packs where four one quarter pound prints lie sideby side.

This invention is adapted for packaging of various softprintedoleaginous materials of which butter, whipped butter, whipped margarineand the like, which are commonly formed into quarter pound prints, whichlatter are then wrapped in parchment paper and then packaged. Forsimplicity in nomenclature such substances are herein, collectivelydesignated butter.

One important object of the invention is to provide packaging apparatusthat is capable of packaging automatically parchment-paper-wrappedprints of soft-printed butter or the'like substances, while the printsare still soft. More specifically, an object of the invention is to bendthe carton about pro-scored or weakened fold lines in such a manner thatlittle or no force is exerted against the soft butter of the printsitself. Also in this connection the invention provides for transferringthe butter from station to station within the machine in such a way thatthe butter is not subjected to suflicient pressure to compress ordistort the printed butter from its original shape.

Another object of the invention is to provide butter packaging equipmentthat will be relatively fast in its cartoning of the printed butter. Inthis regard it is within the purview of the invention to feed or advancethe butter while certain carton bending operations are taking place.Stated somewhat diiferently, it is an object of the invention to avoidhaving certain operations completed before other operations areinaugurated; for instance that the first carton blank bending operationshall take place against a pair of wing members that are inserted intoposition while the four quarters of printed butter are being fedlaterally into the resultant U-shaped configuration of the carton blankformed by the bending operation about such wing members.

Another object is to provide a machine that is operated by a combinationof mechanical and pneumatic means, thereby rendering the machineexceptionally compact 'and of simpler construction than where operatedsolely by mechanical means.

A further object of the invention is to provide a butter packagingmachine that does not depend upon any synchronized feed of the printedbutter to its first station, the machine being able to accept quarterpound prints of butter at random.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a machine of theforegoing character that requires a minimum of supervision with respectto its operation, and actually experience has shown that no attendantneed remain in the immediate vicinity of the machine in order for themachine to operate in a highly satisfactory and reliable way. Thus theinvention contemplates butter packaging apparatus that will beexceptionally rugged and 2,945,334 Patented July 19, 1960 that will notget out of order easily and will operate with no attention or at themost, only a little attention.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a sensitiveprotection against mechanical overloads. In this regard it may be statedthat in conjunction with the overload protection there is providedcertain power compensation features that are activated as needed, to theend that peak mechanical power demands are minimized and the associatedprotective equipment is set or adjusted appropriately to becomeoperative in the event such peak loads are exceeded. The inventionincludes power compensation wherein mechanical energy is stored duringperiods of relatively low power demand and then released precisely whenneeded, thereby averaging out the load requirements of the machine.

It is also an object of the present invention to provide a highlyeffective and efiicient carton blank feeding mechanism, and morespecifically to provide a feed utilizing suction means for picking olfcarton blanks one at a time from the stack contained in the magazine,and misfeeding of several blanks simultaneously is virtually preeluded.

Other and further objects are those inherent in the invention hereinillustrated and described and will be apparent as the descriptionproceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, this inventionthen comprises the features hereinafter fully described and specificallypointed out in the claims, the following description setting forth indetail, certain embodiments of the invention, these being indicativehowever, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles of theinvention may be employed. The invention is illustrated in the drawingsin which the same numerals refer to corresponding parts and in which:

Figure 1 is a plan view of preferred apparatus that has been selected toexemplify the instant invention;

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of the machine on a somewhat smallerscale than the scale employed in laying out Figure 1;

Figure 3 is another side elevational View, the view being from the sideof the machine lying opposite the side from which Figure 2 has beenprepared;

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken in the direction of line 4-4 ofFigure 3, the view being intended primarily to show most of the camshafts that provide for the proper synchronized operation of theapparatus;

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken in the direction of line 5-5 ofFigure l, the View being designed to show with considerableparticularity the orientation of the various parts constituting thefeeding mechanism, although portions of the butter packaging apparatuslying adjacent the feeding mechanism are also pictured;

Figure 6 is asectional view taken in the direction of line 6-6 of bothFigures 1 and 3, this view here again being intended principally :toshow the details of the feeding mechanism;

Figure 7 is a sectional detail view that would be considered to betaken'in the direction of line 7-7 of Figure 5, the view showing asomewhat modified guiding arrangement from that which is actually usedin the illustrative embodiment;

Figure 8 is a plan view of a standard Eastern fiatpack carton blank,which the present machine is designed to handle;

"Figure 9 is a view of an airplane Eastern flatpack carton blank, thisview depicting a carton blank that is intended to traverse the guidingarrangement set forth in Figure 7 and which carton blank appears inalmost comr r r 3 V a pair of curved horns in the process of performinga bending operation about certain pre-scored lines without the printedbutter being in contact with any portion of saidcarton blank; a

'Figure 1-1 is a view generally similar :to FigurelO out with the pusherframe in'its foremost position and having. advanced the butter and itsassociated carton blank to a more advanced stage of the cartoningoperation;

Figure 12 is a view corresponding to Figure 11 but with the pusher frameretracted and certain rear wall section bending fingers in the processofcompleting their particular operation;

Figure 13 is a sectional view taken generally along the irregular line1313 of Figure 12 in order to picture more plainlythe butter advancingmechanism that is to progress the butter to the next station beyond thatstation depicted in Figure 12; I

Figure 14 is a view generally similar to Figure 12 but showing aslightly more advanced stage of the operation, the advancing mechanismhaving moved somewhat for.- ward toward the finish end of the machinethan .it appears in said Figure 12;

Figure 15 is a'fragrnentary side elevation showing. the

advancing mechanism in aiposition where the sides of the carton arefolded;

Figure 16 is a view taken generally in the direction of line 1616 ofboth Figures 1 and 3 for the purpose of illustrating the side bendingprocedure;- 1 a Figure 17 is a right hand or end view of Figures 1, 2and -3 for the purpose of illustrating the carton bending mechanismwhich accepts the completed or filled'cartons, upends them, and pushesthem off to one side of the machine for ultimate crating and shipping;

Figure 18 is principally an electrical schematic diagram of theinvention, only a few mechanical parts appearing in this view for thegeneral purpose of orienting the electrical features with someof themechanical details; v

Figure 19 is a detailed perspective view showing the carton blank inposition for its first bending operation; Figure 20 is a perspectiveview illustrating the first carton bending operation;

Figure 21 is a side elevational detail showing the. carton blank in afully bent condition, Figure 20 having shown the carton blank in only apartially bent condition;

Figure 22 is another, perspective detail picturing the end sections ofthe carton'blank being bent so as to form the rear wall of the completedcarton; 3

Figure 23 is another perspective detail, this view showing the bendingof flap portions'attached to the side wall sections of the carton blank;

Figure 24 is a view showing a successive step constituting the bendingin of tabs located on each side of the carton blanks;

Figure 25 is a perspective showing the next operational step, this viewillustrating how the side sections together withtheir attached flaps arebent into position;

7 Figure 26 corresponds precisely to Figure 25 but illustrates how themachine will be modified to carry out the step pictured in Figure 25with the airplane type of carton blank illustrated in Figure 9, thisbeing in contradistinction to the standard type of blank appearing inFigure 8; and a Figure 27 is a perspective View showing the butter inits fully wrapped or fully cartoned state.

Referring now in detail to the'drawings, the butter packaging apparatuscomprises a generally rectangularframe assembly denoted in its entiretyby the reference numeral 20. The frame assembly 29 need not be describedin any great detail other than to point out that it includes a lowerlevel 22, an intermediate level 24, and an upper level 26. Supported atthe lower level 22' is a first motor 28 drivingly connected to acompressor i 30; The compressor'is connected to a compressed air 4 tank32 which supplies air under pressure to various air cylinders that willhereinafter be dealt with. It might be explained at this time, though,that the intake of the compressor 30 furnishes a vacuum for subsequentlyto be described suction cups incorporated into the carton blank feedingmechanism.

A second motor 34 is also disposed at the lower level 22, this motorbeing directly coupled to, a set of reduction gears 36. On the outputshaft 38 (Figure 4) belonging to the set of'reduction, gears 36 ismounted for rotation therewith a sprocket 40, the sprocket havingentrained thereover a chain 42 (Figures 2 and 3) leading upwardly to asprocket 44 at the upper level 26. The sprocket 44 is drivinglyconnected to aconveyer 46 com posed of a plurality of articulatedsections 48 (Figures 1 and 18). The functionof the conveyor is toreceive the various quarter pound prints of butter andconvey them to afirst station where four of these butter prints are then advancedthrough the machine forthe cartoning operation. ,Four prints'in theprocess of being packaged appear in Figures 10, 11, 12, 14 and 21, andhave been collectivelyassigned the reference numeral 49. As thedescription progresses, the fact that the conveyor 46 can receive theprinted butter in a random fashion will be appreciated, for provision ismade for 'makingcertain that no more than four quarter-pound prints aredelivered to a position confronting the carton blank after it has beenfeddownwardly into a given position from the subsequently to be referredto feeding mechanism.

For the purpose of protecting the butter packaging apparatus fromexcessive overload there is employed a compound ratchet andoverloadclutch mechanism designated by the numeral 50 (Figure 4). Thismechanism 50 includes a ratchet 52 mounted on the gear shaft 38 forrotation therewith. Cooperable withthe ratchet 52 is a pawl 54 carriedon a hub and integral collar 56, the pawl being pivotally connected tosaid collar 56 by a pivot pin 58. There is a dog 60; integral with thepawl 54 and it is engageable with a pivotal latch arm 62 (see Figure 3)equipped with a catch 64. By reason of. afspring 66 the pivotal latcharm 62 is normally projected into an interfering relation with the dog60 on the pawl. .However, 'there is a solenoid 68 forretr'acting thelatcharm 62 during predetermined periods of operation.

Continuingwith thedescription of the overload and drive mechanism,attention is now directed to an overload gear clutch composed ofgearsections 70 and 72, there being a spring 73 for normally urging thesection 72 into engagement with the section 7 0. A narrow groove 74 isdisposed on the gear section 72 of the overload clutch and a motor triparm 76 has one end riding in this groove 74. The motor trip arm 76 ismounted so' that its opposite end is operatively associated with a tripswitch 78. At' this time all that is necessary for a basic understandingof the invention is to know that the trip switch 78 is connected in, 1circuit with the second or drive motor 34.

The clutch section 72 drives a driven shaft 80 which has mounted thereona sprocket 82 over which is entrained a chain 84 (Figure 2) leadingupwardly to a sprocket 86 at the intermediate level 24.. The sprocket 86is mounted directly on what. will betermed an'air valve actuating camshaft 88. ,However the specific function of the cam shaft 88 is betterreserved for explanation hereinafter when the various airrvalvesaredescribed.

In addition to driving the sprocket 86 the horizontal shaft 80 alsorotates a bevel gear 99 (Figures 2 and 4), the bevel gear 90 being atthe lower end of said shaft 80. The bevel gear 90 is in mesh with adriven bevel gear 92 at the lower end of a vertical shaft 94. At theupper end of the shaft 94 is a cam 96 (Figures 1 and 18) which engagesthe short arm of a bell crank 98 which is slotted at its free extremityso as to be engageablewith a pin on the underside of a pusher frame 100constrained for reciprocal movement in a transverse direction. The

pusher frame 100 carries a head 102 that has a width substantially equalto the combined width of four one quarter pound prints 49.

It might be explained by way of a quick review at this time that thepusher frame 100, together with its particular actuating means,comprises what may be termed a first transfer means. This first transfermeans advances printed butter to the first work station where theinitial carton blank bending operation takes place.

When actuated, the pusher frame 100 sweeps over a platform 104 at theupper level 26. This platform 104 (see Figure l) is provided with anupstanding backstop 106 supporting a switch 108. The switch 108 can onlybe closed initially when the four one quarter pound prints have beendeposited onto the platform 104 from the conveyor 46. However, once thepusher frame 100 has been advanced toward the opposite side of themachine its adjacent side will maintain the switch 108 in a closedposition. The operation of the switch "108 will become more apparent asthe description proceeds, especially when the contents of Figure 18 arediscussed. Solely as an introduction though, it can be said at this timethat the switch 108'energizes the solenoid 68 so as to permit the pawl54 to engage its ratchet 52.

Inasmuch a the proper feeding of carton blanks is of the utmostimportance to the operation of a butter packaging machine, such as thatwith which we are now dealing, attention is at this time directed to thecarton blank feeding mechanism designated here in its entirety by thereference numeral 110. Such mechanism is most clearly set forth inFigures and 6. From these figures it will be discerned that the feedingmechanism comprises a pair of side plates 112. Also it will be seen thatthere is a magazine 114 for containing a relatively large number ofcarton blanks 116. These carton blanks appear in only phantom outline inFigures 5 and 6, but reference may be had to Figures 8 and 9 for twospecific types of carton blanks that might be utilized and which arethere presented in more detail. For the most part,

though, only the carton blank pictured in Figure 8 will be referred tothroughout the remainder of this description, the apparatus exemplifiedbeing especially adapted to the handling of this particular type ofblank.

Continuing with the description of the carton blank feeding mechanism110, it is to be noted that these car-ton blanks rest upon a pair ofblank supporting tracks 118 equipped with small upstanding dogs 120 attheir lower or discharge end. Also notice is to be taken of the presenceof side guides 122 which sufiice for guiding the carton blanks of thetype pictured in Figure 8. Specific reference should be made toFigure 7where a triangular centrally disposed guide 124 is illustrated for theexpress purpose of guiding the airplane type of carton blank depicted inFigure 9. Through the combination of side guides 122 and the singletriangular guide 124 the machine is rendered more versatile as to thehandling of' both types. of carton blanks set forth in Figures 8 and 9.When using the carton blank of Figure 8, the triangular guide 124 may beremoved or the blank notched as is I the blank of Figure 9.

As best observed in Figure v5, there is a wheeled pusher 126 providedwith a pair of upright strips 128 that engage the rearmost carton blank.Through the media of a biased cord 130 passing over a first sheave orpulley 132. and a second such pulley 134 together with a bias spring 136(Figure 6), the wheeled pusher 126 is constantly urged in a direction soas to provide a preferred amount of pressural action against the stackof carton blanks contained in the magazine 114. This'can be clearly seenfrom an inspection of Figure 5.

There is a bracket 138 for "engaging the upper end of the foremost blankand it is against this bracket the biasing action of the pusher 126 isapplied. The bracket 138 is fixedly located on a cross piece 140extending between the side plates 112.,

Next, attentionis called to the presence of a pair of suction cups 142supported on a cross head or cross piece 144. The cross head 144 issuspended in swing,- like fashion by a pair of telescoping arms 145comprised of a first section 146 and a second section -147. It will beappreciated that the first section 146 is directly attached to the crosshead 144 and is movable within the cylindrically configured secondsection 147. The upper ends of the second section 147 are clamped to arock bar 148. The rock bar 148 is provided with a crank arm 150. In eachside plate 112 is a pivot pin 152 about which a pair of L-shaped rockerarms 154 can rock in actuating the crank arm and hence the rock bar 148.The rocker arm 154 is cam actuated and the cam for performing theactuating function is designated by the numeral 156. The cam 156, as areother cams later to be described, is mounted on a cam shaft 158 which isjournalled in the side plates 112.

Whereas the rock bar 148 causes a swinging of the suction cups 142,there is a lift bar 160, this bar being oriented in a vertical directionfor raising and lowering the cross head 144 and hence the suction cups142. It will be observed that the upper end 162 of this second bar isslotted so that it straddles a roller support bar 164. The rollersupport bar is supported at its opposite ends by the side plates 112.Rotatably mounted on the roller support bar 164 is a pair of rollers 166which engage the foremost carton blank as can readily be seen fromFigure 5. The lower end of the second lifter bar 168 is slotted at 168and is thereby formed so that it can slidably engage the cam shaft 158.This previously mentioned cam shaft 158 carrim a cam 172 thereon forurging the second lift bar 160 downwardly. A spring 174 extendingbetween the bar 160 and the bracket'138 biases the bar 160 upwardly soas to maintain engagement with the cam 172. The lift bar 160 carries aslotted bearing'176 (Figure 5) so as to be movable therewith as a resultof the cam action, the slotted bearing having engagement with the crosshead 144. In this way the cross head, together with the suction cups142, is constrained to follow the action of the cam 172 as modified bythe action of the rocker arm 154 so as to impart somewhat of an invertedL-shaped travel to the suction cups 142. This movement provides a readydisengagement of the lower edge of each foremost carton blank from thedogs 120 located at the lower end of the blank supporting tracks 118.

Close inspection of Figure 5 will also reveal the presence of an ejectorfoot 178 fixedly disposed on the slotted bearing 176. Thus when thesuction cups 142 are instrumental in peeling off the foremost cartonblank 116 with the aforenoted movement there will be a point after thesuction cups have been moved downwardly that complete disengagement ofthis particular blank will be necessary and this is the function of theejector foot 178.. In this regard it is believed readily apparent thatthere is relative movement of the suction cups 142 with respect to theejector foot.

Also carried on the cam shaft 158 is a pair of mutilated feed rollers180 provided with relatively small gripping teeth 182. Of course themovement of the suction cups 142 is synchronized so that the grippingteeth 182 will be in position to engage the lower end of the cartonblank as it is ejected from said suction cups.

From Figure 6 it can be seen that there is a vacuum valve 184 connecteddirectly to the intake of the compressor 30, by a tube 185 leading fromsaid valve to said intake. 'By reason of a vacuum initiating cam 186also mounted on the cam shaft 158 the vacuum valve 184 is actuated toopen position so as to apply vacuum to the suction cups 142 during thatportion of their travel when they are dislodging a carton blank 116 fromthe magazine 114.

One refinement that is worthy of mention is the exist- 'ence of apivoted feeler 188 for sensing whether there is a blank remaining in themagazine 114. This feeler 188 operates a switch 190 in circuit with thedrive motor 34. Since there is a slight interval or spacing betweencarton blanks as they are fed downwardly, provision is made forpreventing the stopping of the motor 34 during such an interval. Toaccomplish this particular purpose an interval cam 192 is also carriedon the cam shaft 158, the cam 192 engaging a switch 194 whichelectrically parallels the switch 190 (see also Figure 18). Of coursethe switch "194 is only closed during that period when the feeler 188would be permitted to flex in a direction to open'the switch 190 solelyby. reason of the spacing between vertically fed carton blanks.

A pairiof upper reaction rollers 196 bear against the opposite side ofthe carton blank from that which is engaged by the mutilated feedrollers 180, a lower pair of reaction rollers 198 are also utilized.Both pairs of reaction rollers are preferably of rubber or some otherresilient material and are spring biased so as to make a firm engagementwith the various carton blanks as they are fed downwardly.

Next to be described is the drive for the cam shaft 158. In furtheranceof this particular aim another sprocket 200 is mounted directly on thevalve cam shaft 88 that has already been referred to (Figures 2 and 4).This second sprocket 2% is engaged with a chain 202 that passes over asprocket 204 (Figure 4) on a cam shaft 206. Since the cams carried bythe shaft 206 have not as yet been described, the reason for having thecam shaft 296 is not at this time clear, of course, but will be made sohereinafter. A drive gear 208 is carried at the opposite end of the camshaft 206 and is in mesh with a driven gear 210 on one end of atransverse shaft 212. On theother end of the shaft 212 is a sprocket 214in engagement with a chain 216 passing about a sprocket 218 located onthe camshaft 158. Consequently, by reason of the various chains involvedit will be appreciated that the feeding mechanism 110 is actuated inprecise synchronism with the earlier mentioned assemblage of parts.

As can be readily seen from both Figures 5 and 6,

' there is provided a pair of L-shaped guide members 220 having verticallegs 222 and horizontal legs 224'. More will be said later on concerningthe function of the horizontal legs 224. Also there is employed a lowerL-shaped guide member 226 having a vertical leg 228 and a horizontal leg23% formed with a slot 232 (Figure 12). Here again, as mentioned abovewith respect to the horizontal leg 224, the specific function of thislast mentioned horizontal leg 236 will be dealt with more fully lateron. Although not included in Figures 5 and 6, nonetheless a pair ofL-shaped feet 234 appear in Figures 1O, 11 and 12. The role performed bythese L-shaped feet is to position each carton blank 116 at the properelevation for its first bending operation.

Up to this point only a brief mention has been made of the two differentcarton blanks appearing in Figures 8 and9. Inasmuch as the descriptionis about to concern itself with the first bending operation it is feltthat a detailed reference to the exemplified carton blanks will behelpful in following the ensuing description. Accordingly, referencewill be first made to Figure 8 Where an Eastern flatpack type of car-tonblank 116-a is set forth. This blank 116-a is provided with a number ofpro-scored or weakened fold lines which define various panels and flaps.First of all, reference will be made to what becomes a front wall234-41, this wall having oppositely issuing tabs 236-a. 234%; adjoins atop panel 238'a and a bottom panel 245%. The top panel 238-11 is 'inturn provided with a left side Wall 242-a equipped with an integral flap244-a. Similarly the bottom panel 240-ahas adjoined thereto a right sidewall 246-4 to which is integrally attached a' flap 248-a. A pair of rearwall sections The front wall 7 250 ,a and 252-a are connectedrespectively to the panels 238-41 and 240-11, these rear wall sectionsultimately overlapping each other to form a rear wall in the completedcarton. The section 250-11 is provided with oppositely issuing tucks ortabs 254-01, whereas the section 252-a has only a single tab 256-a..

Referring now in particular to the airplane type of blank labeled 116 bappearing in Figure 9 it may be explained atv the outset that this blankis basically similar to the one that is described in the precedingparagraph. Because of the basic similarity those panels performingequivalent functions in the assembled carton bear the same referencenumeral but instead of the suflix a there is employed the suffix b. Thusit will be discerned that the side 246-11 is attachedpto the bottompanel 240-b. In this way the sides 242-12 and 246-b form wings and areresponsible for giving the blank 116-b the airplane appearance itpossesses. It will also be observed that the rear wall section 252-bisequipped with a pair of oppositely extending tabs 256-1) whereas theblank 116-a is provided with only a single such tab. Another differenceresides in the fact that the section 250-b does not have any tabs,corresponding to the tabs 254-0; issuing from the section 250-a It isactually because of the absence of any tabs corresponding to the tabs254-a that the side guides 7122 would be ineffectual for properlyguiding the blanks 116-b. However, in order to make the machine asversatile as possible Without having to resort to any mechanicalreorientation of parts, a notch 258-b is cut in the section 250-b. FromFigure 7 it will be perceived that this notch 258-17 rides on thetriangular guide, thus it will be appreciated that the magazine isdesigned to handle either the blank 116-a or the blank 116-b. However,as will be more readily understood when a subsequent portion of themachine is described, a certain modification thereof must be effected inorder to form a complete carton from the blank 116-b.

, As more clearly seen from Figures 19 and 20, although snch feature newto be referred to appears in other figures, a pair of rectangular Wings270 are located at the-first workstation on the upper level 26. Thesewings 270' have a height substantially .equal to the height of thefrontwall 234-a, the purpose of the wings being to confront thisparticular portion of the blank 116-a. To actuate the rectangular wingsinwardly toward each other there is employed a pair of air cylinders 272which receive air under pressure from an air valve 274 at theintermediate level 24. The air valve 274 is opened by means of a rockerarm 276 pivotal about an intermediate pivot 278 by reason of a cam 280mounted on the previously referred to cam shaft 88. Owing to the mannerin .which' the cam shaft 88 is driven, as hereinbefore mentioned, itwill be recognized that the rectangular Wings 270 are actuated inwardlytoward each other at the proper time.

Attention isnow directed to Figures. 5 and 10 where a pair of upper andlower curved horns 282-a and 282-b respectively appear. These horns282-a and 282-b are mounted on upper and lower rock shafts 284-a and284-b. For actuating the rock shaft 284-a' and 284-1) are rocker arms-286-a and 286-b. Also carried on the lower rock shaft 284-b, isa'take-off'arm 288. Providing a connection between the take-off arm 288and the upper rockerarm 286-a is a connecting link labeled 290.Instrumental in providing the actuating force for'the precedingmechanism .isfa cant,292 (Figure 4)' mounted on the cam shaft 206. Itwill be recalled that the cam shaft 206 was previously mentioned and atthat time it was stated that the cams associated therewith would bereferred to later on; thus cam 292 is the first cam on this particularshaft-to be mentioned. A follower arm 294 is pivotally attached to theintermediate level 24 at its lower end and has an intermediate portionthereof riding against cam 292. Further, there is a link 296 connectingthe follower arm 294 to the rocker arm 286- b so as to transmit thenecessary motion to the upper and lower curved horns 282-a and 282-b. Itmight be explained at this point that the cam 292 is synchronized withthe cam 96 so that the horns 282-a and 282-11 start their bendingstrokes at approximately the same time that the pusher 100 is movedtransversely. Reference to this feature is made at this particular timeonly to emphasize that the four quarters of printed butter need not bejuxtaposed in confronting relation with the front wall 234-a of thecarton blank 116-a prior to the inauguration of a bending strokeperformed by said horns 282-a and 282-b.

Reference will now be made to a second pusher frame 298 and the mannerin which it is constrained for longitudinal reciprocal movement. It willbe noted that this pusher frame 298 is provided with a head 300 thatengages the butter so as to advance the butter 49 after the bendingoperation performed by the horns 282-a and 282-b. Of course, by the timethat the pusher frame 298 starts forward, the wings 270 will have beenretracted so as to offer no interference with the advancement of thebutter. The mechanism for actuating the pusher frame 298 to accomplishthe above referred to butter advancement comprises a bell crank 302slotted at its upper end so as to engage the frame 298. The bell crank302 is pivoted at its elbow to the middle level 24 of the frame, thepivot point having been indicated in Figure 3 by the numeral 303. On thecam shaft 88 is a cam 304 which engages'the short leg of the bell crankso as to move it in a direction that will advance the pusher frame 298and the butter that is ahead of said frame. Thus while the pusher frame100 forms a part of what was termed as a first transfer means, thestructure described in this paragraph constitutes a second transfermeans for advancing the now partially cartoned butter from the firstwork station to the second work station.

.At this stage of the overall functioning of the butter packagingmachine the four prints of butter 49 are resting on a platform 306 atthe first work station which, of

course, could be a mere continuation or extension of the earlierreferred to platform 104. It will now be apparent that the horizontallegs 224 and 230 are spaced in a vertical manner so as to accommodatethe butter and its now substantially U-shaped carton blankstherebetween, the

carton blank itself being supported on the legs 230 during theirtransfer step. At the same elevation as the horizontal legs 230 is apair of spaced tracks 308 having a slot 310 therebetween, the slot 310actually forming a continuation of slot 232. The carton blank 116-a isretained in its substantially U-shaped configuration by means of apresser plate 312, this presser plate forming a general continuation ofthe horizontal legs 224 of the L-shaped guide 220. The presser plate isbiased in a yieldable manner by a pair of coiled springs 314. Supportfor the presser plate 312 is provided in the form of a fixedly disposedsupport bar 316. The second work station to which the butter has beenadvanced is set forth in Figures 11 and 12, Figure 11 illustrating thestate of cartoning at the moment that the butter reaches this particularstation and Figure 12 depicting a somewhat more progressed state ofcartoning.

While at the second station pictured in Figures 11 and 12 there is aflapformingoperation that occurs. The particular flaps to be advanced atthis particular stage are the flaps 244-a and 248-41. Thus whiletheflaps 244-a and 248-a reside in substantially parallel horizontalplanes at this particular stage of cartoning it is necessary to bendthese flaps into a vertical relationship with the sections 244-01 and246-a respectively. To accomplish this aim a pair of fixed formingplates 320-a and 320-!) are provided. Cooperable with the forming plates320-11 and 320-b are movable forming members 322-a and 322-b, theseforming members having outwardly flared portions as are clearlyvisiblein Figure 13. Respective air cylinders 324-a and 324-b serve to providethe actuating force for moving the members 322-a and 322-1), thesecylinders receiving air through tubes 326 connected to an air valve 328located at the intermediate level 26. As with the earlier referred toair valve, the air valve 328 is actuated to open position by means of arocker arm 330 which has riding engagement with a cam 332 mounted on thecam shaft 88. It will be understood that the forming mechanism justreferred to is re sponsible only for bending the flaps 244-a and 248-a,leaving the side wall sections 242-a and 246-1: in their originalhorizontal plane. Subsequently referred to mechanism will cause theproper bending of the sections 242-11 and 246-a.

Specific attention is now drawn to the rear wall sections 250-a and252-42. For bending the lower rear wall section 252-a upwardly is a pairof lower pivotal fingers 340 carried on a pivot shaft 342. An arm 344extends from the shaft 342 and is pivotally connected to a generallyhorizontal link 346 at one end thereof, the link being in turn pivotallyconnected to a lever arm 348. There is a bracket 350 fixed to theintermediate level 24 of the frame 20 to which the lever arm ispivotally connected intermediate its end at a locus 352. The lower endof the arm 348 bears against a cam 354 on the cam shaft 206.

While the above paragraph is concerned with the bending of the section252-a upwardly the mechanism presently to be described deals with thebending of the section 250-41 downwardly. In furtherance of thisparticular aim, that is bend-ing of the section 250-a downwardly, thereis provided a pair of upper pivotal fingers 358 carried on a pivot shaft360. The pivot shaft 360 is provided with an arm 362 to which ispivotally attached a connecting link 364 extending to a lever arm 366.The lever arm 366 is supported on a downwardly projecting bracket 368mounted on the frame at its upper level 26. The bracket 368 thusfurnishes a pivot point at 370 for the lever arm 366. As with the lowerpivotal fingers 340 the upper pivotal fingers 358 are actuated by a camon the cam shaft 206, the cam in the present instance being denoted bythe reference numeral 372. Close inspection of the cam 372 would revealthat it is contoured with a dwell period (not shown), the purpose ofwhich is to provide a pause in the movement of the fingers 358 during aparticular portion of the return travel 'of the fingers 340. However,this will become more apparent and more easily understood hereinafterwhen a detailed operational sequence is described.

It now becomes clear that in order to progress the butter together withits carton blank from the second station in which the butter appears inFigure 12 to the third work station that some means must be provided fordoing so. This means takes the form of a butter transport or advancingmechanism designated in its entirety by the numeral 380. This mechanism380 includes a carriage 382 having a downwardly extending yoke or cradle384 (Figure 13). Also from Figure 13 can be seen a plurality oflaterally extending wheels 386 that are mounted at either side of theyoke or cradle 384. These wheels-386 ride in fixed channeled tracks 388.The channeled tracks 388 are fixedly disposed relative to the frame 20.

Continuing with the description of the transport mechanism 380 it willnow be pointed out that there is an elevator frame 390 having downwardlyextending side plates 392 equipped with a plurality of wheels 394. Thesewheels 394 ride in a pair of grooves formed in the sides of the cradle384. Owing to the number of wheels 394, that is foursuch wheels, theelevator frame 390 is constrained for vertical movement only withrespect to the carriage 382.

The elevator frame 390 is equipped with a plurality of upstanding lugs398, there actually being three at each end of the elevator frame. Theaft lugs serve to advance the partially cartoned butter whereas the forelugs serve to advance the preceding completed carton. Of course theseupstanding lugs 398 are of sufficient height so as to extend above theslotted legs 230 and the is accomplished that we will now consider.

11 spaced tracks 308 when the elevator frame 3% is raised position. 7

Provision is made for raising the elevator frame 390 and to accomplishthis end an air cylinder 399 is fixedly located on the cross portion ofthe yoke or cradle 384. A flexible hose 490 connects the air cylinder399 to an air valve 482 located at the intermediate level 24. A rockerarm 404 is pivotally mounted between its ends at a pivot point 406 andis actuated by a cam 408 on the cam shaft 88.

With reference now to the means for moving the transport or advancingmechanism 380 longitudinally between the second and third stations itwill be observed that the carriage 382 has one end of a draw bar link410 pivotally attached thereto. The opposite end of the draw bar link410 is pivotally connected to one arm of a bell crank 4112, the shorterarm of the bell crank being in turn pivotally connected to anunder-slung rock shaft 414 at the intermediate level 24. From thedrawings it can be discerned that the reference numeral 416 has beenassigned to the generally vertical arm of the valve crank which connectswith the draw bar link 410 and the numerial 418 has been given to thegenerally horizontal arm which rides against a cam 420 mounted on a camshaft 422.

The drive for the cam shaft 422 will now be described. In theaccomplishment of this particular objective a sprocket 424 is attachedto the cam shaft 422 and has entrained thereover a chain 426 which isdriven by a sprocket 428 located on the shaft 256. It will be recognizedthat the shaft 266 is the previously mentioned shaft having at one endthe gear 208. 7

While the transport or advancing mechanism 380 is capable of advancingthe partially completed carton to the next or third station it will berecalled that the flap forming structure comprised ofthe movable formingmembers 322-11, and 322b and the cooperable fixed forming plates 320-aand 320-b were influential in effecting the bending of the flaps 244-11and 248-2: into vertical planes. The vertical relationship of theseflaps 244-11 and 248-a must be maintained during the advancement to thenext station, and it is with the particular means by which this Infurtherance of this specific aim it is to be pointed out that thedownwardly extending cradle 384 is equipped with laterally pro ectingrollers 430. These rollers 430 are engageable with a pair of deflectorarms 432, pivot pins 434 rendering the deflector arm pivotal about ahorizontal ina axis. These pivot pins 434 are situated in the earlierreferred to brackets 350. Also associated with the pivot pins 434 are apair of transfer arms 436 which are actually attached to the pivot pinsso as to be movable in un son with the pivot pins as they are in turnrotated by said deflector arms 432. At the upper extremities of thetransfer arm 436 are pickup plates 438, these pickup plates merelyengaging the respective flaps 244-a and 248 -1 so that the inherentresiliency thereof will not permit the flaps to deflect from theparallel vertical plane that they have previously been bent into by theforming members 322-a and 322-b. The motivating force for urging thetransfer arm 436, and hence'the pickup plates 438, in a transfer oradvancing direction is provided by a pair of coil springs 440. In thisway owing to the tilt of the deflector arms 432 the continuedadvancement of the drag mechanism 380 will permit the transfer arm 436to be moved under the influence of said springs 440.

However on the return of the drag'mechanism the laterally pro ectingrollers 430 will cam against the deflector arms 43 2 so as to move thetransfer arms 436 back to their original position so that they will beready for fpicking up the flaps 244-a and 248-a of the succeedmg cartonthat comes along. The point to be clearly understood at this time,however, is that the pickup plates 438 move in unison with the dragmechanism 380 until the rollers 430 disengage the deflector arms.However by the time that the rollers 430 disengage the deflector armsthepickup'plates 438, will have been .ad-

vanced sufficiently so that the requiredvertical relation ofthe flaps24441, and 248-11 is maintained. Notches on the pickup plates 438 see toit that the partially cartoned butter reaches its. third work stationwithout the flaps 244-a and 248-a springing outward due to theirinherent resiliency.

Participating in the next sequence of events, which events occur at thisthird station, is a pair of upper and lower tuck-in fingers 450-a' and450-1), these tuck-in fingers having carton squeezing portions 451thereon.

While the ofiice of the carton squeezing-portions 451 will be mademanifest hereinafter, at this time'it will be mentioned, however, thatthe tuck-in fingers 450.-a and 15 450-b act to bend theiva rious tabs236-a, 254-aand 256-a into parallelism with the ends of the foremost and'rearmost prints of butter. In order. to do this, the tuckin fingers450-a and 450-b are supported on upper and lower shafts 452-11 and452-b; the tuck-in shafts being in turn journalled in upper and lowerbrackets 454a and 4S4-b, respectively. From Figure 14 it can be seenthat actuating arms 456 are integrally supported on the upper shafts 452a. Links 458' are connected at one end to the actuating arms 456. Theother end of these links 458 are pivotally connected to alever arm 460.The

lever arm 460 is in turn supported on an upper pivot shaft 462-a. H Theshaft 462-21 has an arm 464-a extend- .-ing therefrom and has itsextremity pivotally connected to avertical connecting link 466 withsimilar articulative linkage associated with the shaft 452b,' includingan arm 454-b on a shaft 452-b. Another vertical link 477 is pivotallyconnected at its upper end to the link 466 and Y has its lower endpivot-ally connected to the free end of a rocker arm1468 mounted forarcuate movement about a pivot point 470.1ocated slightly above theshaft 422 but substantially at the intermediate level 24. Actually therocker arm 464 assumes-the form of a bell'crank and has its other legengageable with a cam 482 mounted on the camshaft 422. This cam shaft422 is the same shaft 40 that the cam for advancing the transportmechanism 380 is mounted on. Although all of the activating linkage 'forthe" shaft 452-b has not been described in detail, it

will-be understood that the shafts 452-a and 452-15 are 7 operated inunison so as to in turn cause-concertedmovement of the tuck-in fingers450-a-and 450-b.

1, Only a brief allusion was made to the carton squeezing portion 451 onthe tuck-in *fingers 450- a and 450-b.

While more will be said later on concerning the functioning ofthesesqueezing portions it might be pointed out at this time that the.tuck-in fingers 450-a and 450-b are moved suffieiently so that theportions 451, which are somewhat'inset, engage'the forward wall 234a andthe rear wall composed of theseetions 250-a and 252-a with sufficientpressure so as to flex the top panel 238-a slightly upwardly, asbest'viewed'in Figure24, and the bottom panel 240 -downwar dly. Itwillbe appreciated that this action facilitates the insertion of the flaps24H Having conditioned-the blank to the extent outlined above referencewill now be made-tea pair of what will 0 be termed curved radius flaplead or guide elements 490-a and 49,0-b. These elements comprise threecurved fingers and receive their support from a pair of U-shapedsupporting means 492-a and 492-b through the assistance of shafts 494-aand 494-b journalled in said supporting means 492-a and 492,-b.The'supporting means 492-41 and 42b are fixedly disposed at the upperlevel 26. There are arms 496-a and 496-b which connect with the shafts494-a and494-b. Actuation of the arms 496-a and 496-b' is by means of anair cylinder 498 through the intermediary of links 497-01, 497-b and arocker arm 499. Retraction of these arms is by means of spring action.It will be observed that a tube 502 leads to an air valve 504 mounted atthe intermediate level 24. By reason of a rocker arm 506 which ispivoted intermediate its end at 508 the air valve is moved to open

